How Do I Prepare for EMDR?

  • There are a few steps you can take to help yourself feel prepared before we begin EMDR. Part of my role is to assess your readiness. This means making sure you feel emotionally safe, supported, and grounded enough to participate in the process. To do this, I look at several areas including life stability, body awareness, affect tolerance, and the rapport we’ve built together. Once we both feel confident that you’re ready, we’ll begin.

  • Learn EMDR Coping Techniques

    We will dedicate one full session to learning several EMDR preparation tools: Containment, Calm/Safe Place, and Ally. Practicing these skills between sessions will make the EMDR process smoother and more effective.

  • Increase Awareness of Body Sensations

    EMDR often involves exploring physical sensations that arise during processing. Before we begin, try to check in with your body daily. Notice sensations without judgment—location, intensity, quality, and duration are especially important (see the “Common Terms” section).If this feels difficult, mindfulness or basic meditation can help strengthen this skill.

  • Identify a Starting Point

    Think about the memory, issue, or emotional theme you’d like to focus on first. This can be a specific event or something more general. There is no right or wrong choice. Some clients prefer to begin with their most significant issue, while others start with something less intense to build confidence. We will make this decision together.

  • Use a Larger Device for Sessions

    EMDR works best when you can clearly view the bilateral stimulation on your screen. It is strongly recommended that you attend EMDR sessions on a computer or tablet rather than a phone.

  • Have Headphones Available

    We may use binaural or bilateral audio during your sessions. To ensure proper stimulation, please have headphones ready.

  • Familiarize Yourself With EMDR Terms and Methods

    As you continue through the next couple of pages, you’ll reach a section that explains the EMDR vocabulary, concepts, and techniques we’ll be using. Reviewing these ahead of time can help you feel more confident and grounded as we move through the EMDR process.
What happens after an emdr session